The place of women in Japanese society is an interesting mixture of illusions and myths. However, it is in this illusion that there exist two distinct Japanese societies: that of the public and that of the private sector. However, the Western image of the Japanese woman is that of the submissive Japanese woman and this image is real; However, it is only an image. Women, in their private family roles, often dominate male members of the household. By Western standards, Japanese women are considered exceptionally devoted to their families. Currently, the position of women in Japanese society can be attributed to the vestiges of two ancient philosophies: Confucianism and Samurai. Not only was Japanese society formed from these ancient vestiges, but it was also shaped by the influences of Buddhism. An example within Japanese society that shows the use of these remains is how Japan plundered China's Confucian heritage; a legacy where it is the value of the group that takes precedence over the value of an individual. Although it is still largely influential in Japanese society today, it has changed a lot from the opening of Japan in the mid-1800s until the end of World War II. Although the old Confucian philosophy has not really changed when it comes to group success, that is exactly what one woman's statement reflects: "The weight of trying to balance individual success and family will always be heavy here due to our group-oriented value system. » Additionally, the importance of the group throughout Confucianism emphasizes the supreme position of man and a hierarchical power structure for society. With the advent of the samurai in the 15th century CE, this marked a change within Japanese society which had largely been... .. middle of document...... previous point - that the husband n is not physically available to participate. As in other matters affecting the home, the wife assumes a dominant position through the void created by the absence of the husband. A Japanese author also noted that “As a professional housewife, [a woman] can offer time to volunteer. In addition, her responsibility to monitor her family's health may lead her to be attentive to health risks such as industrial pollution. food poisoning, medical malpractice, which could implicate him in consumer movements and, ultimately, politics. » As the role of Japanese women in society continues to evolve, so will their position in politics, the workplace, and the grassroots. Having already acquired a dominant role in household matters, it will only be a matter of time before women begin to acquire public power..